Created from the abandoned Group B rally effort of the 959, the Porsche 961 was a racing car built to Group C regulations in the World Endurance Championship. It featured a 2.8 litre flat-six engine which was turbocharged.

Its first race was the 1986 Le Mans 24 Hour, in which it finished first in IMSA GTX class and seventh overall. The car was driven by Rene Metge and Claude Ballot-Lena. The car was overshadowed in this race by Porsche's other efforts - mainly the winning 956.

The car lay unused (bar the odd demonstration run for potential customers) until the 24 Hours of Daytona in 1987, and made its final outing in the 1987 Le Mans 24 Hour. Unfortunately, the car was engulfed by flames, and completely destroyed.

Originally intended as a customer car, there was only a single vehicle built as the plan was to build to order. No orders had been taken by Le Mans 1987, predominately due to the high price (of around $300,000) but also due to the existance of the 956. As a result, the 961 project effectively ended with the fire at Le Mans.